Strut-tie method of design and possible serviceability problems: an exploration by NLFE

Cunningham, L.S. and Bhatt, P. (2000) Strut-tie method of design and possible serviceability problems: an exploration by NLFE. In: 8th Annual Conference for the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering, Greenwich, UK, 16-19 Apr 2000, pp. 147-150.

Abstract

The strut and tie method presents a rational and consistent approach to the design of all parts in a reinforced concrete structure. With this approach, the load carrying mechanism of the structure is represented by approximating the compressive stress fields as struts, and tensile stress fields as ties. The stress in the struts and ties should not exceed the allowable compressive strength of the concrete or yield strength of the steel respectively. In the design of structures by this method there are two important issues to be addressed. The first issue is that of the visualization of an appropriate strut-tie model for a given structural system. In many structures there may be various load paths available and hence no unique strut-tie model exists. The second issue is that of validity of chosen models in relation to the serviceability and ultimate load characteristics of the resulting structure. It is important that the ductility of the structure should be maintained by insuring that crushing of concrete prior to yielding of steel is avoided at design loads. Since the strut and tie method involves a redistribution of the stresses from the elastic pattern, it is necessary to determine the extent to which that re-distribution can be allowed for, while preserving the required performance from the structure. In this work, visualization of strut-tie models was carried out using elastic finite element analysis. The resulting stress fields were used to design structures which were analysed using an in-house non-linear finite element program and also physically tested in the laboratory.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Additional Information: ISBN: 1861661509
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bhatt, Dr Prabhakara
• Authors: Cunningham, L.S., and Bhatt, P.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2000 The Authors
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the authors